• To serve as One of the Four entrances to mosque, Two on long eastern side and One on each

of the North & South sides

• Unfinished rest of the conception, but Alai Darwaza (on South) complete in all aspects
• Execution speed up to provide a formal entrance for ruler (Royal residence in south of Delhi)
• Pillared portico with a small dome was attached to its northern face within the courtyard.
• A cubical structure of 55 feet side in plan
• 60 feet high up to top of its domical finial
• Each doorway opening into single Central Hall of 36 feet side with a dome ceiling
• Three alike faces with a tall archway over a flight of steps leading to the higher floor
• Plinth below with elegantly carved bands
• Wall surface above is divided into 2 stories & again into upright rectangular panels
•Central doorway on each side flanked by perforated stone windows
• Two lower being arched recesses with Star & Hexagon shaped stone jallis
• Light filters in through stone jallis that fill the arched windows in lower storey
• Stone jalli provides controlled illuminations and ventilation
• Combination of Red Sandstone & white Marble with
decorative inscriptions enriching the whole surface
• Outstanding gracefulness of façade lies in shape of
Arches esp. central opening : Pointed Horse-Shoe,
Refined quality of curves and Width-Height
Proportions
• Construction with radiating voussoirs
• Formed of dressed stone instead of rough rubble
masonry
• Beauty of form emphasized by decorative treatment
• Band of inscriptions carved in white marble around
outlines
• Fringe of spearheads on intrados/underside
• Whole contained within a rectangular framework
bordered with repeating patterns & inscriptions in
white marble
• North (inner side) opening is semi-circular in shape with shallow
trefoil forming its outline
• South façade restored with parapet set all in one line (Coping of
central rectangular bay should rise higher than wings on its sides)
• Shape & Inventiveness of the Arches
• Method of Walling
• System of Support of Dome
• Conception of Dome itself
• Design of Surface Decoration